Periods are neither glamorous nor exciting. So there are chances you've been told you don't smell good on your period. And it seems like a whole industry of products is available to fix that problem.
Well, those products aren't fooling anyone. You research before buying feminine hygiene products because they will never stop falsely marketing them. The worst is they might never provide a solution for you.
Here is an easy-to-follow guide on how to make yourself smell good on your period as part of your feminine hygiene 101.
What impact do hormones have on my menstruation?
Every woman confirms that their body goes through many changes during their period. Tender breasts or painful cramps are some cue signals that remind women that it is the time of the month again. Many are more self-conscious of these physical manifestations, and one of them includes odor.
According to research, hormones affect how you smell. Besides the apparent symptoms mentioned, appetite, behavior, and mood is affected by hormonal changes.
How Hormones Affect My Menstruation?
Hormones are chemical substances that regulate the activity of cells or organs in the body.
Progesterone is a hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle and prepares for pregnancy. At the same time, estrogen is another hormone that regulates menstrual cycles and helps with reproduction. Both these hormones influence glands that produce an organic chemical that bacteria love.
An imbalance in these hormones causes several symptoms, such as irregular periods, painful periods, heavy bleeding, spotting between periods, mood swings, depression, and headaches.
Another reason is that women are more sensitive to how they smell throughout their menstrual cycle. This means women can tell when they have an odor while on their period, even if it's not strong enough for others around them to notice. An example of how hormones mess up your sense of smell is pregnancy. Estrogen, the culprit, makes your sense of smell even more potent.
When Do I Smell The Most?
Women are known to have an increased sense of smell during their menstrual cycle. This is because of hormone fluctuations and changes in body chemistry. So when do women smell the most?
The answer is that the body has a lot of different smells that come and go at other times and body parts. For example, one of the most noticeable smells is armpit odor. This is because there are sweat glands in that area, and we can smell it when the sweat mixes with bacteria on our skin.
It all depends on what a woman eats and drinks before the period. In addition, hormones can affect her smell and sensitivity to her senses. One study from Charles University showed women smelled the most during their period, particularly in the armpit area. For some, the smell is a signal of being fertile.
Now that you know the reason why you smell more during menstruation, here are some tips on making foul odors during the period pleasant.
Can Fragrance Mask the Odor?
Perfume for women's menses cycle can increase confidence, improve mood, reduce stress, and enhance attractiveness. In addition, some fragrances have made women feel powerful and in control of their emotions.
Women have been using perfumes for centuries to try and mask the smell of their menses cycles. But it's not just about masking the odor. It's about finding a fragrance oil that you can use during your period to make you feel confident and in control. Perfume fragrance can make you smell good and make you smell worse.
In a journal of cosmetic dermatology, an experiment for women who use contraceptives showed a fascinating result. Contraceptive use intensifies the fragrance sprayed on women—particularly vanilla-scented perfume.
In addition, with the right perfume scents, lifestyle and timing, a perfume would not only mask the odor. But also intensify the aromas for maximum attractiveness of women.
6 Ways to Smell Good on Your Period
The options to smell better while on period are overwhelming. In looking for the best products, you should know the good practices and the problems you need to solve.
1. Eating Healthy
Foods that mess up how you smell are often the ones that make you smell worse. The foods that make you smell worse are usually rich in proteins and fats. Foods that are high in protein include meat, eggs, and cheese. Foods like butter, oils, and mayonnaise are high in fat.
The foods with the highest impact on your body odor are those which can interfere with your hormone levels. These foods include soy products and caffeine.
Whole grains, lean protein, fruits, and vegetables can help you feel good and smell better.
2. Douching
Suppose you know this term and still practice it. Then, you better STOP because it won’t do you any better.
Douching is the procedure of washing out the vagina with water or other fluid. They are used as cleansers and reducers of vaginal odor but have been proven wrong by research. Relative to the thought that a clean vagina is healthy, this practice is the opposite. It kills the bacteria, including the healthy ones.
3. Grooming
Grooming armpit hair and pubic hair is a choice. The purpose of pubic hair is to reduce friction during intercourse—the same as having armpit hair. As taboo as possible, it is best to practice grooming in these areas aside from hygiene. Pubic and armpit hair traps the smell and unwanted bacteria, making it less desirable for most people.
4. Cleaning With Strong Product
Always use mild soaps or baby soaps. Avoid products that have Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), regular body soap, Parabens, and Phthalates. This practice kills healthy bacteria and makes the area dry.
5. Separate Wiping
While this can be common sense, this is to remind women that there are a lot of bacteria down there. Adding them by wiping them in the same direction won’t help. So the best practice would be to wipe them separately away from each other.
6. Peeing After Intercourse
Peeing after intercourse is a natural process that helps prevent UTIs, urinary tract infections, and other reproductive health problems. It also reduces the risk of pregnancy. It takes little of your time to care for your intimate area’s health.
Staying Fresh and Clean During Your Period
Until recently, feminine hygiene was something to be hidden and caused embarrassment. Over the past decade, women have become more open about their periods and started to arm themselves with knowledge of menstruation and best practices.
Which among the following ins and outs have you already practiced? Choosing the perfect product takes a lot of trial and error. If you are exploring fragrances, try using Bargz fragrance oil: 4 Pack Fragrance Oil Sampler.
For more good-smelling tips, visit us at Bargz Oils! Let us know which tips keep those odors at bay!
